Woody: That was a great article on the embarrassing Buffaloes. What are the chances that CU looks at former All-America running back and current Minnesota Vikings assistant head coach for offense Eric Bieniemy to replace Dan Not-a-hawk-ins?— Derek, Colorado Springs Derek: I just attended an event last night with some prominent CU alumni, and I can report that Hawkins is losing more and more of his remaining (little) support every week, even with the victory over Georgia (a bad team). A very prominent I can't even give him a description because you'd figure it out person said that the Buffs HAVE to get a new coach, no matter the record this year, because of the move next season to the Pac-12.
He said Hawkins might have survived if the Buffs stayed in the Big 12 one more year, but they must do it now. This guy swings a whole lot of weight. So I'm certain it's a done deal unless the Buffs win nine games (including a bowl), and I'm not even sure it would happen then. Hawkins has done nothing to endear himself to the big money people behind CU. It's almost as if he dismisses them as he dismisses those of us in the media.He is defiant to the end, like the cartoon of the mouse confronted by the bird of prey and nowhere to turn, so the mouse gives the raptor an obscene sign. I'm sure you've seen it. Reminds me of Hawkins. That was embarrassing Saturday night at Missouri. I was there. I was asked by some CU supporters outside the stadium if I had ever seen coaching like this.
"Chuck Fairbanks," I replied. He lost to Drake twice, but I knew he couldn't coach at CU when I was with the Buffs at UCLA in 1980, and they didn't get a first down, I think, in the first half, after which they trailed 56-0, and UCLA coach Terry Donahue then felt so sorry for the Buffs he didn't throw the football once in the second half. CU will get destroyed at Oklahoma and Nebraska. You think Missouri and Cal were bad? And now he has all those injuries again on offense and defense. Plus, those delay-of-game, illegal formation and other silly penalties proved Saturday they are not well-coached.
Here are the top five candidates for the CU job. I'm not making these up, and they are in no specific order, at this point, but go with this:

Jim McElwain, Alabama offensive coordinator. He is not only a bright offensive mind (despite the loss at South Carolina), he is an excellent recruiter, will be a head coach soon (next season) and is funny, smart, easy to deal with, has the pedigree, has the background and experience and does not have Nick Saban's personality.

Bill McCartney. He wants to come back. We know what he can do. He has lost faith in Hawkins like everyone else and is willing to try to bring the Buffs back. His wife's health is a lot better. Her serious health problems and his lack of attention at home were the reasons he left. She has gotten a good prognosis recently; his family (including his grandson, who is a backup quarterback at LSU), are grown, and he has the itch again. The question is: He's 70, and can he reconnect with the game and regain the recruiting edge he once had?

Troy Calhoun. The Air Force coach has proven he can win, and he's great. He's proven what he can do at the Air Force Academy. Tennessee should have given him the job when the Vols chose Lane Kiffin. Calhoun can pretty much name his job around the country, and Air Force knows he won't stay there forever. Some CU people are concerned that there will be a negative response if they steal another coach (a la Jeff Bzdelik) from Air Force, but the academy will just go get another outstanding coach. It's better that Calhoun be kept in-state rather than losing him to some other big program. I think Calhoun is No. 1 on the list.

Eric Bieniemy has a lot of support among the staff and some alums. But, honestly, he carries a lot of baggage from his days in Boulder, and he has never been a head coach. He has been away from the college game for a long time. Can he recruit? There's more support for him among longtime fans and former players than there is within the program and among well-heeled backers.

The wild card always is Dave Logan, but his name is never mentioned within the program, and it is always wondered if he can do on the college level what he has done in high school. He certainly can recruit; there is no stronger CU supporter; he has the background in the pros; he has been a head coach for a number of years; and I think he'd bust his butt to win in Boulder, and would do it. He deserves more consideration than he gets. He has probably been hurt by not being around the program more lately (because of his coaching duties, his radio show and his time spent doing the Broncos games), but I can promise you he cares, and he cares not a whit about Hawkins, one of the reasons why he doesn't spend any time hanging out at CU.
The next coach, next season, will come from one of those guys.

Eliminate Logan right off the bat. Not gonna happen. Of the four remaining, I'd put Calhoun behind McElwain and McCartney in order of preference. Best bet for EB would be to come in here and join Mac's staff as OC, with an eye towards moving up into the HC job once Mac goes back into retirement.

I think Woody has it wrong about Logan - I'm sure he'd recruit well in-state, at least initially, but no one knows who he is outside of Colorado, he'd struggle in CA and TX and would have to bring in some major Asst. Coaches to help him recruit out-of-state. Mac would be great, but how long would he be able to go? Bienemy could be hit or miss, not sure if he can run a program, he's struggling in Minn this year IMO (especially w/ Favre, but no one can talk to that guy). Maybe bring back Mac for 2-3 years w/ Biemeny as the top Asst. and groom him to succeed Mac - that would be a sick recruiting combo.

Vote Troy Calhoun. He has the most overall upside, and I think he's the next Chris Petersen in terms of scheming combined with work ethic/discipline. I think he could recruit anywhere immediately, and would attract the best Assts. (because everyone knows he can coach his tail off). He'd be fantastic.

I think Woody has it wrong about Logan - I'm sure he'd recruit well in-state, at least initially, but no one knows who he is outside of Colorado, he'd struggle in CA and TX and would have to bring in some major Asst. Coaches to help him recruit out-of-state. Mac would be great, but how long would he be able to go? Bienemy could be hit or miss, not sure if he can run a program, he's struggling in Minn this year IMO (especially w/ Favre, but no one can talk to that guy). Maybe bring back Mac for 2-3 years w/ Biemeny as the top Asst. and groom him to succeed Mac - that would be a sick recruiting combo.

Vote Troy Calhoun. He has the most overall upside, and I think he's the next Chris Petersen in terms of scheming combined with work ethic/discipline. I think he could recruit anywhere immediately, and would attract the best Assts. (because everyone knows he can coach his tail off). He'd be fantastic.

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Calhoun would be fine with me as long as he has great assistants who can recruit 'lights out.'

As Woody states, Calhoun can have his pick...and my concern is that he would have a short stay in Boulder, using it as a stepping stone. Not sold on him as a long-term solution. McElwain is intersting, but I also am concerned about us being a stepping stone. Of course, I will take any success at this point and to step up they would need to achieve some.

Others keep mentioning Embree as well. He was definitely being pushed within the cabinet last year - I saw the "resume" they had written up to support their lobbying and it was pretty good. Haven't heard any further rumblings so I wonder if he is still as hot on their minds as he was last year. Interested in others' insights if they have them.

Woody: That was a great article on the embarrassing Buffaloes. The wild card always is Dave Logan, but his name is never mentioned within the program, and it is always wondered if he can do on the college level what he has done in high school. He certainly can recruit; there is no stronger CU supporter; he has the background in the pros; he has been a head coach for a number of years; and I think he'd bust his butt to win in Boulder, and would do it. He deserves more consideration than he gets. He has probably been hurt by not being around the program more lately (because of his coaching duties, his radio show and his time spent doing the Broncos games), but I can promise you he cares, and he cares not a whit about Hawkins, one of the reasons why he doesn't spend any time hanging out at CU.
The next coach, next season, will come from one of those guys.

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Logan is probably my number 5 on this list of five, but still love the quote on why he does not spend more time around CU. If he hates Hawk as much as I do, then he just went up a few notches in my book!

I think we need a guy like McElwain, he has been around winners and knows what to look for. He has seen how a successful program is run. McCartney has been away too long and won't be able to have the same effect on recruits, and besides, at 70 its only a short term solution. I don't really know who Logan is?? Is he a high school coach? Is that really who we want to turn the program over to and try to play with the big boys? Calhoun is fine by me, but can he recruit? Calhoun also doesn't have the type of expectations at Air Force as he would here at CU. You play OK tough, and beat a weak BYU team and all of a sudden he is a hot commodity. Even last year he lost to any team of substance. Of all the people mentioned, only one is a proven winner at the stage that the Buffs want to be on, McElwain.

Eliminate Logan right off the bat. Not gonna happen. Of the four remaining, I'd put Calhoun behind McElwain and McCartney in order of preference. Best bet for EB would be to come in here and join Mac's staff as OC, with an eye towards moving up into the HC job once Mac goes back into retirement.

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So, is it Mac, then McElwain, or McElwain, then Mac? I would still love to see Mac back with EB as OC-- watch them hit recruiting together. But McElwain, with experience in the SEC and the power that is there, running wild in the PAC 12 has it's merits too. Still worried about Calhoun. Just not sure that his success would translate to the BCS schools, but I also know that much of that worry is brought about by what Hawk did. McElwain, Mac-- they have the coaching connections CU wants (to get a good staff top to bottom). Calhoun? I don't know. Mac and EB both have alot fo connections-- would love to see the staff that they would put together.

I am not as sure about Mac and Embree though. I just don't know enough about Embree. Who would you guys want in combo with Mac? I think Mac and Embree is a better possibility than Mac and EB. Do not see that we could snag all three since EB and Embree are both offensive guys.

As Woody states, Calhoun can have his pick...and my concern is that he would have a short stay in Boulder, using it as a stepping stone. Not sold on him as a long-term solution. McElwain is intersting, but I also am concerned about us being a stepping stone. Of course, I will take any success at this point and to step up they would need to achieve some.

Others keep mentioning Embree as well. He was definitely being pushed within the cabinet last year - I saw the "resume" they had written up to support their lobbying and it was pretty good. Haven't heard any further rumblings so I wonder if he is still as hot on their minds as he was last year. Interested in others' insights if they have them.

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Heck- if the next HC used CU as a stepping stone than that just means that they probably were able to take CU to a couple PAC-12 Championship games and possibly a few BCS bowls.. I'd be ok with that outcome.

This Logan talk is foolish. I'd consider him as a WR or TE coach only. Maybe he can recruit Colorado and close the border but nothing more.

And as for worrying about choosing a coach because it might be a stepping stone, any major name not historically tied to the program is going to be a threat to leave until we start competing again, on the field, on the recruiting trail and in the facilities war.

So, is it Mac, then McElwain, or McElwain, then Mac? I would still love to see Mac back with EB as OC-- watch them hit recruiting together. But McElwain, with experience in the SEC and the power that is there, running wild in the PAC 12 has it's merits too. Still worried about Calhoun. Just not sure that his success would translate to the BCS schools, but I also know that much of that worry is brought about by what Hawk did. McElwain, Mac-- they have the coaching connections CU wants (to get a good staff top to bottom). Calhoun? I don't know. Mac and EB both have alot fo connections-- would love to see the staff that they would put together.

I am not as sure about Mac and Embree though. I just don't know enough about Embree. Who would you guys want in combo with Mac? I think Mac and Embree is a better possibility than Mac and EB. Do not see that we could snag all three since EB and Embree are both offensive guys.

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I'm wondering if this Mac talk is all for nothing since the article just broke re: Kanavis, Steed taking $$ from that agent.
I really don't think Bohn & Benson want Mac back so this story to me could be an excuse for them to say no thanks.

Doesn't sound like EB would come to CU as OC. He and Mac are very similar in temperment and I think as much as EB respects Mac, he knows they wouldn't get along. Offer EB the head coaching job & he would be here in a heartbeat.

I like Woody but the media's continued efforts to pump up Dave Logan are just comical. Dave Logan is a desired college head football coach in the hearts and minds of ONE group of people - and that's the Denver media hacks. He has absolutely positively zero employability by any other major college, and he only has that because these morons in the Denver media somehow think he's a viable candidate.

I'm wondering if this Mac talk is all for nothing since the article just broke re: Kanavis, Steed taking $$ from that agent.
I really don't think Bohn & Benson want Mac back so this story to me could be an excuse for them to say no thanks.

Doesn't sound like EB would come to CU as OC. He and Mac are very similar in temperment and I think as much as EB respects Mac, he know they wouldn't get along. Offer EB the head coaching job & he would be here in a heartbeat.

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I don't think this would have any impact on the decision to bring him back. That was a different time when these types of things were common place and there weren't enough controls in place and education to stop it. He didn't enable it as far as I can tell. You telling me that this never happened at NU....and therefore they wouldn't bring Osborne back as a result? Jimmy Johnson would never get a college job if he showed int rest because almost all his players were paid?

And as for worrying about choosing a coach because it might be a stepping stone, any major name not historically tied to the program is going to be a threat to leave until we start competing again, on the field, on the recruiting trail and in the facilities war.

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Exactly. Hate to say it, but we're starting over again. The early 90s were a long time ago. And really, why would this be a problem? If someone came here, proved CU could win big again and then left, the next up-and-comer would trip over himself to come to Boulder and maybe by then the job would be so good he would want to stay a long time.

In a way, I kind of see us like Utah before Urban. He came in, won big and left -- and someone else followed him and built the program into a national force on a permanent basis. I think that's where CU is at the moment. OK, so McBride was a better lead-in for Meyer than Hawk will be for the next coach, but I think you get my point.

I'm actually not too worried about the stepping stone thing. I think a coach would only leave to go to Notre Dumb or their alma mater. If CU is winning at a high level, we can pull recruits with the best of them and with more money from winning/Pac 12 increased revenues would be able to pay a good salary.

Bonn could placate a lot of donors and buy himself some time by hiring McCartney. Frankly, I don't know why McCartney would want to come back to CU. Nothing good can come from him coming back. I think the chances of him duplicating his prior success is very slim.

I don't think this would have any impact on the decision to bring him back. That was a different time when these types of things were common place and there weren't enough controls in place and education to stop it. He didn't enable it as far as I can tell. You telling me that this never happened at NU....and therefore they wouldn't bring Osborne back as a result? Jimmy Johnson would never get a college job if he showed int rest because almost all his players were paid?

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I support Mac & think having him would be a shot in the arm for the program, however I have a feeling Benson doesn't want to have to answer ANY negative questions re: Mac 'Promise Keepers' background and the such to CU's liberal faculty. I think the agent paying players story will be just enough of an excuse that Benson will run with it.

I support Mac & think having him would be a shot in the arm for the program, however I have a feeling Benson doesn't want to have to answer ANY negative questions re: Mac 'Promise Keepers' background and the such to CU's liberal faculty. I think the agent paying players story will be just enough of an excuse that Benson will run with it.

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True, but I don't think Benson is going to run with any kind of excuse at the risk of alienating Mac....can't mess with the big dog legacy. He would just sit him down and explain the age thing and the right direction of the program.

And as for worrying about choosing a coach because it might be a stepping stone, any major name not historically tied to the program is going to be a threat to leave until we start competing again, on the field, on the recruiting trail and in the facilities war.

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I think this is exactly right. But, we want to make sure it's the right kind of stone stepping. We want a guy who will show he can recruit and build up a college program in the hopes he'll step to a "bigger" college program. That's fine with me. I do think we actually have pretty decent players here, so if we get an up and comer who can take what we have and immediately turn it around, great. He'll reenergize the base, reenergize recruiting, and then leave the program in a better place than when he got here. I have no problems with that. However, recruiting is the key. We need someone who wants to be in the college game and wants to be a great recruiter. That's why I'm more leery of NFL guys or guys that are on the way to the NFL.

If they hire Logan my season tickets will be canceled immediately. We are somewhat of a joke with us rushing the field after wins, can't fire a coach that is obviously not getting it done. And we are going to fix this by hiring a local high school coach. I just see that getting a lot of good pub for CU across the nation. Yes with the local yocals but is that really the splash we need to get this program back to where we all want it.

To be honest I'm not super excited about any of these options but I guess I could live with 3/5 options i.e. McElwain, EB, Mac -- Don't get me started on Dave Logan - if CU hires him I'll officially give up and will see you guys in 5yrs or whenever we can buy out his contract. Will be another epic failure to rival Hawkins and Fairbanks. Calhoun is a C- for me. Good coach but I don't think he will be able to get the kind of guys we need for CU - recruiting a service academy vs a BSC school is totally different. I hope Calhoun is happy at AF or decides to take another offer if he wants to leave. I would like to see some more candidates interviewed outside what Mr. Paige has listed in his article. -- Crossed Fingers and holding my breath until the new guy is announced. Another bad coaching decision could be crippling and a death blow.

I think this is exactly right. But, we want to make sure it's the right kind of stone stepping. We want a guy who will show he can recruit and build up a college program in the hopes he'll step to a "bigger" college program. That's fine with me. I do think we actually have pretty decent players here, so if we get an up and comer who can take what we have and immediately turn it around, great. He'll reenergize the base, reenergize recruiting, and then leave the program in a better place than when he got here. I have no problems with that. However, recruiting is the key. We need someone who wants to be in the college game and wants to be a great recruiter. That's why I'm more leery of NFL guys or guys that are on the way to the NFL.

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Completely agree and if that list of 5 potential candidates Paige threw out is really the true list to choose from then its McElwain who fits.